A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy made an arrest in Carpinteria on Monday that could have stopped a future crime from occurring. On April 8th at 1:15 in the morning, Deputy Amjadi who is assigned to the Carpinteria substation saw 27-year-old Fernando Huerta Perez sitting inside his vehicle in the 1100 block of Casitas Pass Road. Due to the time of night and the fact he was parked near businesses that are open 24 hours a day and could be a target of a robbery, Deputy Amjadi made contact with Perez. The Carpinteria man was found to be under the influence of a Central Nervous System stimulant (CNS) and arrested. A loaded revolver was found in his waistband.

Deputies conducted a further search of his person and vehicle and discovered methamphetamine, methamphetamine pipes, a Derringer pistol and a loaded SKS assault rifle with a high capacity magazine, masks and two-way radios. The evidence located suggests that Perez may have been planning to commit additional crimes.